Chapter 17 #2
“Sure, it does. I’d be lying if I said it didn’t but we’re lawyers, Walker.
We’re analytical. We prove people guilty and innocent.
There’s good and bad in everyone. It’s what you do with it that makes you who you are.
Did you continue to act like an ass?” She eyes me.
“Not always but you got help and moved on to make a better life.” She sits back on the couch.
“You should run, Reese. I have control issues, among others. I think we both know you deserve better than me.” I rub the back of my neck, twisting it to relieve the tension.
“Walker, it’s not who you are. People make mistakes, terrible mistakes but people change.
They all speak highly of you, although guarded, which they have every right to be.
You need to forgive yourself.” I have no words, Reese leaves me disoriented.
“Although, I understand why you’re at the center now.
It’s a part of your self-imposed hate everything about yourself. ”
“People are made up of layers. Some aren’t as ugly as others but they’re still scary.” I avert my eyes, running my hand through my hair. “What about you, Destiny Reese? Tell me one of your darkest secrets.”
“Hmm, let me see what I’d like to reveal about my sordid past.” She taps her chin below pursed lips.
“Are you picking on me?”
“A little.” She holds up her fingers. “I don’t know. I’m pretty easy.”
“The hell you say? I’ve been trying to get into your pants for weeks and it’s not been easy.”
“And you’re still an asshole.” She winks at me.
“Tell me something that makes me feel normal,” I plead. “Give me some dirt.”
“Not much to tell. I was raised poor in southern West Virginia with an overbearing mother and a father who left us when I was little for another woman and her child.” She bites her nail as she talks. “Basically, I have daddy issues.”
“That could be fun. Not dirty but we can work with it.” I waggle my brows.
“So swarthy, Mr. Pennington.” Her brows fall over her eyes. “He’s been reaching out to me lately. Apparently, I moved not far from him, much to my mother’s disapproval.”
“Can you blame her?” I reach over, taking her thumb from her mouth slowly. “Where’d you go to college?”
“Marshall University until I transferred to law school at West Virginia University.” She sips her drink, picking at her food.
“Not so hungry now? Or was it that bad?” I chuckle.
“It’s great. Let’s eat and forget this shit.” She twirls the pasta onto her fork and takes a big bite. Sauce drips on her chin.
I lean in, rubbing it off with my finger. “Do you make everything sexy on purpose?”
Her face flushes. She averts her eyes. “No, not at any time.”
“I disagree.”
“Where did you go to college?” She takes another mouthful of food.
“University of North Carolina. I was a legacy. It was expected.”
“By whom? Your father?” Her eyes dart to her plate.
“No, I’m lucky when it comes to family. I suppose I succumbed to others’ thoughts and opinions on my life.”
“The hell with that. You should be living your life the way you want.”
My gut twists at the thought. “I know. Maybe, I should start?”
“What do you mean?” Her brows pull together.
“Oh, Reese Morgan. Why do I have the urge to tell you everything?”
She smiles coyishly and shrugs. “I don’t know. It’s weird. I feel as if I’ve known you my entire life.”
“I agree.” I take her hand. “Now, tell me all the details of your life and leave nothing out.”
Her eyes grow round. “Where should I start?”
“Favorite color? Favorite sport? Team? Birthday? How old are you? Favorite pair of panties? Matter of fact, I’ll find that out on my own. But you get the gist here.”
“Color is blue. Sport is football. The Panthers, duh.” She taps her chin, squinting her eyes. “I’m twenty-seven. Favorite panties? None. I hate them.” Her lids fall heavily over her eyes.
“Me too. To all of the above.”
Her mouth pops open. She pretends to slap me. “You’re a hot mess.”
“We have so much in common and yet, I feel like I could spend eternity getting to know you.”
“I feel the same way.” Her eyes shine as bright as her smile.
“You didn’t tell me your birthday.”
“You don’t have a Christmas tree.” She scans the room, avoiding my question.
“Your birth date, Miss Morgan.” I lean toward her.
“The twenty-third.” She glances at me. I stare, waiting for the rest of her answer. “December.”
“That’s two weeks away.” My eyebrows pull together.
“It is? What about that. Where’s your tree?” She fidgets in her seat.
“Why are you avoiding your birthday?”
She shifts her position, crossing her arms. “I’ve never celebrated my birthday.” She shrugs.
“Oh? You’ve never had a cake or just don’t celebrate?”
“We never had much growing up. My mom did her best, but we had to pick between a cake or dinner, period. There was no extra for extra.” She turns her head from me, her hand going to her eye before glancing at me. “Now look what you did.”
“Reese, I fucked up. I’m sorry.” I pick at imaginary lint. “I didn’t mean to make you feel bad.”
My eyes meet hers as she lays her hand on mine. “Don’t worry about it. I’m not sure if it’s because of how I grew up or the fact you strip everything away and I forget my barriers.”
“I understand walls.” I cover her hand with mine and take a ragged breath. “We both know this is more than mutual attraction.”
“Not just chemical but soul worthy.” Her eyes flit from my hand to my face.
“Why so serious, Miss Morgan?” I say in my best Joker impersonation.
“Yeah, are you a dork often?” She tilts her head, narrowing her eyes.
“On the daily, although most people just call me an asshole.” I squeeze her thigh as I stand, walking to the television. “How about a movie?”
“It depends on your taste in movies.” She lays against the arm of the couch.
“How about a classic?”
“Show me what’cha got.” She wiggles her fingers.
“It’s a Wonderful Life or Christmas Vacation. My two personal favorites.” I hold them up, shaking them in my hands.
“So weird.” She chews her lip. “Christmas Vacation to start. Unless it gets too late for you.”
“I don’t sleep much anymore.” I open the movie. “What’s weird?”
“We like the same movies.” She squints.
I slip the DVD in, taking the remote as I saunter back to the couch. I hesitate whether to sit by her or on the other end. “Care if I join you?” I point to the seat beside her.
“Not at all. You can keep me warm.” She shivers slightly.
“I can turn the heat up if you need it.”
“We can do that ourselves, Mr. Pennington.” She cocks her brow.
“How about a throw, so we can snuggle for body heat.”
“Are you trying to be a gentleman? Because I’m thinking the way you dry humped me the other night kinda voids it.” The mere image of her beneath me makes me hard.
“At some point, that smartass mouth is gonna get you into trouble.”
“I hope so, sir.” Her eyes burn a path down my body as I sit beside her. Thankful for the blanket that’s about to become a tent.
“Watch the movie, Reese.” I point at the television with a shaky hand, my pulse racing.
“You’re so hot and cold. I’m beginning to get whiplash.” She rubs her neck, glancing at me out of the corner of her eye.
“I’m working really hard to not fuck this up.” I place the remote on the table, leaning back to get comfortable.
Reese spins in her seat, leaning against my shoulder. “You’re doing pretty damn good.”
“Thank you.” I lay my hand on her thigh with a sigh.